Environment & Compatibility Testing

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What is Environment & Compatibility Testing?

Environment & compatibility testing, also known as platform testing or configuration testing, verifies that an application functions the same, or in an appropriately similar manner, across all supported platforms or configurations.

For websites, environment & compatibility testing verifies that a website looks and functions the same across all supported Web browsers and browser versions / patch levels -- Netscape, Internet Explorer, AOL, and others. Other "variables" considered besides the Web browser, especially for multimedia and graphics-rich sites, include operating system, processor type, processor speed, installed RAM and video display & resolution settings.

Environment & compatibility testing for non-Web systems (client/server or standalone applications) verifies an application functions the same across all supported hardware and software configurations. The variables considered here usually include operating system, processor type and speed, memory (RAM) and video display & resolution settings. Depending on the exact nature and architecture of the application, variables such as client database type, server database type and server hardware configuration might be included.

The typical environment & compatibility testing process at Testware is:

Determine what "variables" are relevant to the application or website and prioritize them according to risk.
Identify the total number of configurations that could be tested.
Based on time, budget and risk considerations, determine how many configurations should and will be tested.
Determine what application or website features and functions should be tested on each configuration. In most situations, a subset of the functionality is tested on each. In high-risk situations, a complete functional regression test is executed.
Execute tests on each configuration, leveraging Testware's library of operating system and software configurations and automated configuration setup tools to keep setup time to a minimum and maximize testing time.

Testware's Environment & Compatibility Testing Services

Testware maintains an in-house testing lab with a wide variety of hardware and software configurations and is capable of addressing some or all of your environment & compatibility testing needs on an outsourced basis. All work is completed in our lab and results are communicated electronically to you. If security restrictions or other limitations prevent us from executing the tests in our lab, we can perform the testing at your site.

If you need environment & compatibility testing on twenty (20) configurations or less, you might find Testware's Configuration 20 package to be of interest.

Benefits

Timely, cost-effective compatibility testing. We will design an environment & compatibility testing solution that meets your time and budget needs. Our automated environment setup tools and library of popular environment configurations let us configure machines in a matter of minutes, drastically reducing testing time and cost.

Lessen your compatibility risks. We will work with you to determine the environment configurations relevant to your application. Then, we will put your application through its paces on these configurations to verify its major features and functions work properly, enabling you to release with confidence.

Avoid too much or too little environment & compatibility testing. Rely on our knowledge and expertise to determine the relevant variables and "right amount" of environment & compatibility testing for your website or application. Testing too few configurations or concentrating on the wrong variables can cause problems to be missed; testing too many configurations can waste your valuable time and money.

To bring the benefits of Testware's environment & compatibility testing services to your organization, or to discuss which of our packages, services or testing training courses are best suited to your unique testing needs and challenges, please

submit an information request to Testware
email Testware at info@testwareinc.com
call Testware at (908) 526-2900